5 Things to Know: Live, from Chicago, it’s city council!

Friday

Sep 28, 2007 at 12:01 AMSep 28, 2007 at 4:05 AM

5 things to know from Chicago this week.

Mike Ramsey

After years of jawing about it, the Chicago City Council on Thursday finally got around to broadcasting its meetings on the Internet, via the city clerk’s Web site (www.chicityclerk.com). The baby step forward comes long after local units of government elsewhere in Illinois began airing the people’s business on cable-access channels.
Why the delay? Chicago aldermen were sensitive about roaming cameras catching them absent or snoozing. To safeguard their image, the Internet cameras are trained only on council members who are talking.
In-Spire-ing Price
Got $40 million? That reportedly is the mind-boggling asking price for the penthouse atop the planned Chicago Spire, which would be the highest building in North America. The twisting residential tower, designed by noted architect Santiago Calatrava, would rise 2,000 feet and be built near Navy Pier.
The Most Powerful Shoes in Illinois
The state’s top legislative leaders, all smartly dressed in suits, met with Gov. Rod Blagojevich Wednesday in Chicago to negotiate a capital program. Forget the politics. What the people of Illinois really want to know is: What kind of shoes did the power-brokers wear?
Blagojevich: Broken-in -- but well-polished and -preserved -- black Oxfords.
Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago: Sleek black slip-on loafers with some kind of decorative metal clasp (the equivalent of feet epaulets?).
House Republican Leader Tom Cross, R-Oswego: Medium-brown loafers, each with a fringe and buckle. A little frilly for a Republican, but Cross is considered a moderate.
Senate President Emil Jones, D-Chicago: Black athletic walking shoes with black tennis-shoe laces.
State Sen. Christine Radogno, R-Lemont (standing in for minority leader Frank Watson): Sensible black low-rise pumps.
Where Would Dice Roll?
Chicago Mayor Richard Daley disclosed that he has no intention of building a casino at Navy Pier, Northerly Island (the former Meigs Field) or McCormick Place, now that state lawmakers have moved closer to granting him his long-sought cash cow. Daley presumably was trying to keep rumor-mongering opponents at bay.
Speculation is the mayor also knows exactly where a casino WOULD be built. But, of course, he’s not saying.
What’s New
Somebody’s optimistic. Workers pasted giant Cubs decals on a LaSalle Street building last week in anticipation of the North Side baseball team advancing to the playoffs. Now it’s simply a question of how soon those workers come back with a scraper.
Mike Ramsey is the Chicago reporter for GateHouse News Service. He can be reached at (312) 857-2323 or ghns-ramsey@sbcglobal.net.

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